The 23rd edition of the Volvo China Open will take place at the Topwin Golf and Country Club in Huairou, Beijing from April 27th to April 30th 2017. It will be the second time for Topwin to host the Championship following on from April this year. Volvo has also announced that their “Volvo in Golf” strategy will now primarily focus on the Chinese market.

“Topwin presents a fine challenge for a world class field of players and has a wonderful setting being so close to the Great Wall,” said Sven De Smet, Vice President of Brand & Marketing, Volvo Cars Asia Pacific,. “I still have vivid memories of Li Hao-tong’s amazing final round of 64 to clinch the title and the delight of the crowds who came to watch. Li will come back to defend his title and, hopefully Topwin will be a lucky course for him. It will be a thrilling week and we’re expecting even bigger crowds will be there to support him.”

During its 23 years in golf in China, Volvo has witnessed many talented players emerge from the junior ranks, with Li Hao-tong being the most well known, having won both the Volvo China Junior and Volvo China Open Championships.

“It was a dream come true to win the Volvo China Open,” said Li in a video message from the DP World Championship. “The victory earned me a two year exemption on the European Tour and gives me an opportunity to compete in some world class tournaments and so further hone my game. I will fully prepare for my defense of the Volvo China Open. Nobody has won the title twice yet and so it would be a fantastic experience to be the first to do it.”

In answer to the praise received from both international and local players at this year’s event, Shi Lin, Chairman of Topwin Group said “We’re very pleased to host Volvo China Open again. To host such a world-class event will help to improve the club’s management. Entrusted by the Organizing Committee, we will spare no efforts to deliver a truly premium tournament. I’m confident that Topwin will be in great shape and will impress not only the players but also our guests and spectators.”

Wang Li-wei, Vice President of the China Golf Association noted that, having started in 1995, Volvo China Open is the longest running tournament in China and has been associated with much of the development of the sport across that period.

“For 23 years, Volvo China Open has accompanied several generations of Chinese golfers to the world stage. Wu Ashun and Li Hao-tong, who represented China in the Rio Olympics and came very close to victory with a joint second place in the World Cup of Golf, have both now won the Volvo China Open, Wu in 2015 and Li in 2016. With them both as examples, I look forward to seeing more Chinese players getting good results in next year’s Championship and also more and also more making it through to the final two days.”

China will be the core market for Volvo’s new golf strategy and will revolve around three main events – the Volvo China Open, Volvo China Junior Match Play Championship and the Volvo World Golf Challenge. The aim is to provide world-class competitive arenas for golfers at all levels, and develop golf in China across professional, junior and amateur fields. Having sponsored golf events in China for the past 22 years and now with China being its second largest market, Volvo cars will place even more focus on the country with the aim of promoting and developing the sport throughout the country.

Also announced was the schedule for the four Volvo China Open Qualifying events. International Qualifying will be on 23-24 February at Hong Kong GC while the three Domestic Qualifying events will be Chengdu BRC Grand Hill International GC on 14-15 March, Shanghai Tianma CC on 28-29 March and Tianjin Binhai Forest GC on 11-12 April. They are a chance for the hundreds of hopefuls who enter to win one of the 12 coveted spots available for them in the Volvo China Open. In addition, the worldwide amateur event, the Volvo World Golf Challenge will be held at Topwin on 2-3 May, immediately following the Volvo China Open.

The Volvo China Open is organized by the China Golf Association with Volvo Event Management as promoter, and is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and OneAsia. The 23rd Volvo China Open will be Volvo’s 86th tournament on the European Tour with a significant prize purse of RMB 20 million.